2. Expose a high-turnover Michigan State squad
Turnovers are the name of the game. The more turnovers you usually have on the court, the greater chance you are probably losing the contest.
Illinois has been about average this season in the turnover department, averaging 11.6 turnovers per game. Michigan State, on the other hand, has struggled greatly in this area.
That is why I think one of the keys to beating Michigan State is exposing a high-turnover Spartans squad. This team can cough up the ball, and Illinois needs as many opportunities as possible.
For the season, the Illini haven’t been on the positive side of turnovers often. Illinois has only won the turnover battle five times with the most recent coming against Indiana when we only had six turnovers compared to Indiana’s 11 turnovers.
This could be a perfect opportunity for Illinois to win back-to-back turnover battles. Michigan State is a below-average turnover program. They average 12.2 turnovers per game, which ranks No. 201 in the country.
Guard Jeremy Fears Jr. is the biggest culprit for turnovers. He is averaging 2.0 turnovers per game. Kylan Boswell should be able to force a few turnovers on Sunday. He has played great defense lately and will likely be on Fears quite a bit.
I also look for Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn to have a big game defensively. He is a quick guard who brings a lot of energy off the bench. With Michigan State rotating so many players, Gibbs-Lawhorn could have a big opportunity defensively off the bench for the Illini against the Spartans' second rotation.